FR2852474A1 - Satellite digital terminal, has universal serial bus with one or more connectors, and official software applications that permit to arrange basic functions e.g. text processing, printing, fax and video games - Google Patents

Abstract

The terminal has a universal serial bus with one or more connectors, and official software applications. The applications permit the arrangement of basic functions e.g. text processing, printing, photocopying, fax and video games. A smart card reader is arranged for downloading drivers of apparatus connected to the universal serial bus and software application. An independent claim is also included for a secured data transmitting process performed using the satellite terminal of the invention.

Description

The present invention relates to a digital satellite terminal

multi functions.

  It is intended to allow the use of an installation for receiving signals emitted by geostationary satellites, and in particular television programs, for carrying out simple office applications usually requiring a personal computer.

  Some common applications such as word processing, sending and receiving electronic mail ("e-mail" or fax), printing documents and faxing are reserved for users with a computer.

  Despite the extraordinary recent development of its market, the cost of a computer with its peripherals makes its acquisition difficult for some, and its complexity of use and that of the Internet puts off many people who are however, in very many cases , equipped with a television, for example connected to a satellite network.

  Patent NS WO 01 58 133 describes a multifunctional home audiovisual system comprising a decoder box the front or bottom of which has several open bays intended to accommodate peripherals and which may include an integrated computer module. The decoder, the computer and the 25 peripherals communicate with each other via a high speed bus. Peripherals are primarily hard drives, CD-ROMs and DVDs, modems, satellite receivers, TV tuners, interface modules for video games, MIDI modules, and modules designed for connection to various equipment audio and video.

  The price of this box, intended in particular to be integrated into a piece of furniture for television set, is, because of its equipment of the same order of magnitude as that of a computer and its use requires the same knowledge.

  Patent application No. FR 02 16 895, established by the applicant of this document, describes a method consisting in using a satellite-type radio channel to broadcast the messages to be transmitted to all the digital satellite receivers used for the reception of television channels, the reception of messages taking place directly on digital receivers arranged to allow viewing of the messages received on the television when the satellite receiver is switched on or at the request of the user.

  This process allows the reception on a television set of messages of the "e-mail" type broadcast by satellites. It does not require a telephone link or a computer for the reception of messages and the warning of reception of a message is carried out directly on the television set without obligation to connect to the Internet.

  However, the functions are limited to sending and receiving digital data, received messages cannot be printed, and paper documents cannot be transmitted.

  The system according to the present invention aims to make the basic functions of a personal computer ("PC") available at low cost.

  It consists of using a specific digital satellite terminal to which a USB ("Universal Serial Bus") port has been added with one or more connectors, as well as office application software allowing basic functions such as word processing, printing, faxing, photo reader and video games.

  In the accompanying drawing, given by way of nonlimiting example of an embodiment in accordance with the present application, FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the system.

  The system uses a television 1 intended for connection to a digital terminal 2, itself connected to an antenna 3 pointed at a satellite 4.

  The digital terminal 2 is equipped with a "USB" port and simple office application software capable of fulfilling the basic functions of a personal computer ("PC") and in particular the "printing" and "word processing" functions. "," fax "," photocopy "," digital photo reader "and" video games ".

  In order to simplify and democratize IT, several large manufacturers in 1995 developed the "USB" standard, for Universal Serial Bus, or universal serial bus. This interface allows a wide variety of peripherals to be connected without restarting the computer, with the best bandwidth (and therefore higher transfer speed) than the serial or parallel ports. Among the various interfaces available today, the "USB" has 10 many advantages: no risk of plugging the plug upside down (it does not fit), or breaking a pin (there is none ), and especially no need to add an additional controller card to each new device.

  The "print" function of digital terminal 2 allows, among other things, to print electronic mail ("e-mails") received by the terminal thanks to a specific module performing the decryption and memorization of messages, as well as address management thanks to integrated software, these messages being transmitted via a transmitting station 5 by a server 6 capable of receiving the messages sent by the senders (cf. patent N 'FR 02 16 895).

  The "word processing" function, associated with the "printing" function, advantageously replaces a typewriter.

  The "fax" (or "fax") function will be associated with a modem connected to the USB port or inserted in the PCMIA reader and allowing the terminal to be connected to a telecommunications line.

  The "video games" and "digital photo player" functions are similar to those existing on other digital terminals.

  For these various functions, text and images are displayed on the television 1. The commands are sent to the terminal 2 via its remote control 7 or a wireless keyboard.

  The "word processing" function requires the use of a printer 8 connected to the USB port of terminal 2 and a keyboard with infrared or radio transmission, radio transmission requiring the addition of a radio receiver in the terminal, while infrared transmission does not require updating since it uses the infrared channel of the remote control.

  The "photocopy" function also requires the use of a scanner 9 connected to the USB port.

  The device managers of the devices connected to the USB port, as well as the application software are either integrated into the terminal, or downloaded from a smart card 10 or the Conditional Access Module (M.A.C.) 10 of the digital terminal 2.

  The system according to the invention can be adapted for the transmission of secure data with double encryption by adding a secure transmission procedure applying in particular to the consultation of a bank account statement 15, the printer 8 making it possible to archive the statements.

  For this application, the operator provides his client with a numbered smart card, the card's access code and a numbered access module. If the customer already has a module, he must simply communicate the serial number.

  The customer inserts the module in the digital terminal 2 which must be connected to an antenna 3 pointed at a satellite 4 broadcasting the required data.

  The access module is arranged to automatically record the data addressed only to this module during the standby of the terminal or after selection of the broadcast transponder by the user. These recorded data 25 are accessible only on this module when the smart card is inserted in the module and when the user has typed the access code specific to this card which was communicated to him when the card was handed over.

  The data is first coded by the operator using public cryptography (RSA) and / or digital software. The unique decryption key is recorded during manufacture in each smart card and cannot be modified. Each serial number corresponds to a unique encryption key known only to the operator.

  This encrypted data is encrypted a second time using an encryption system compatible with the DVB standard. This second unique decryption key is recorded during manufacture in each module and cannot be modified.

  Each serial number corresponds to a unique encryption key known only to the operator.

  The module therefore decodes the second encryption and the smart card the first.

  The positioning of the various constituent elements gives the object of the invention a maximum of useful effects which had not, to date, been obtained by similar devices.

Claims (1)

  1. Multi-functional digital satellite terminal, making it possible to use an installation for receiving signals emitted by geostationary satellites, and in particular television broadcasts, for carrying out simple office applications usually requiring a personal computer, characterized in that it is equipped with a USB ("Universal Serial 10 Bus") port with one or more connectors, as well as specially adapted application software allowing basic office functions such as word processing, printing, photocopying, fax, reader photos and video games.   20. Digital satellite terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the device managers of the devices connected to the USB port, as well as the application software are integrated into said terminal.   3. Digital satellite terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a smart card reader (10) arranged to download the device managers of the devices connected to the USB port, as well as the application software.   43. Digital satellite terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a specific module carrying out the decryption and storage of messages, as well as the management of addresses by means of integrated software, these messages being transmitted via a transmitting station (5) by a server (6) capable of receiving the messages sent by the senders.   50. Digital satellite terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is arranged to allow the viewing of text and images on the television (1) to which it is connected, the commands being sent to the terminal digital (2) via a remote control (7) or a wireless keyboard.   60. Digital satellite terminal according to claim 5, characterized in that it is equipped with a radio receiver allowing the use of a radio transmission keyboard.   7. Digital satellite terminal according to claim 5, characterized in that it is equipped with an infrared receiver allowing the use of a remote control and a keyboard with infrared transmission.   8. Digital satellite terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a secure procedure allowing the transmission of secure data with double encryption 15 applying in particular to the consultation of a bank account statement.   90. Digital satellite terminal according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a numbered access module equipped with a smart card reader and arranged to automatically record the data 20 addressed only to this module during standby of the digital terminal (2) or after selection of the broadcasting transponder by the user, the recorded data being accessible only on this module when the smart card is inserted in said module and when the user has typed the specific access code to said smart card.   100. Method for transmitting secure data with double encryption using the digital terminal (2) according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the data is first coded by the operator using public cryptography software ( RSA) and / or digital, the unique, non-modifiable decryption key known only to the operator, being recorded during manufacture in each smart card, the data being encrypted a second time by means of a second decryption key unique and non-modifiable recorded during manufacture in each access module, said module being arranged to decode the second encryption and the smart card the first.